In her 10 years at Education Week, Catherine Gewertz has written primarily about urban education. She concentrates on the world of secondary schools, with a particular focus on the transitions into and out of high school.

Calif. Budget Woes Imperil High School Exit Exams

Lots of people debate the merits of high school exit exams. But usually it's about whether they push kids out of school, or whether the exams are a true measure of what students need to know to thrive in college or work. Not so in California at the moment.

Right now, the talk about exit exams in the Golden State is all about money. The state's fiscal nightmare has prompted Democrats in the legislature to propose dumping, at least temporarily, the exit exam students have had to pass to earn their diplomas. The idea made it out of committee, but not yet to the floor. It will be interesting to see if money trumps substantive debate about what best serves students.

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